Not Only Czech Beer But Even Czech Design Celebrated Succuss in the World

In the competition the Packaging of the Year,⃰ Plzeňský Prazdroj together with Vetropack Moravia Glass received the award for the best packaging designGOLD DESIGN TOUCH 2013. The prize was awarded to the unique 1l bottle with a porcelain cap, made for the limited edition to commemorate the 170thanniversary of the birth of the original Pilsen lager Pilsen Urquell, by the expert jury. The author of the design is well-known designer Lars Kemper, who was inspired by the image of a historic Pilsner Urquell bottle.

“During the submission of the design request we paid attention to a historic design of Pilsner Urquell beer packaging that is now an inseparable part of Czech Christmas Tradition. We also wanted to create completely original and perfect packaging that would be as unique as the Pilsner Urquell beer itself,” said Grant McKenzie, marketing director of Plzeňský Prazdroj. He added: “This year, same as last year when we introduced our Christmas bottle for the first time, we will offer a limited amount of these hand-packed design pieces. Last year, they disappeared from stores within a week, as they instantly became a perfect Christmas gift as well as a valuable collectors’ item.“

Current trends calls for uniqueness and creative handling of the packaging design in order to make the product stand out among the competition. Therefore, Pilsner Urquell brands come with interesting packaging innovations that attract consumers and collectors. Besides the Czech jury, the Pilsner Urquell bottle grabbed the attention of experts from abroad when, just a few weeks ago, it won the award in the international WorldStar Packaging Awards 2014. The official awarding of the WorldStar 2014 prize will take place during the Interpack Fair in Düsseldorf in May of the next year.

For this year’s Christmas market, Pilsner Urquell prepared three types of unique gift packaging: a multipack with a replica of a beer chalice from 1935; a Christmas 1l bottle; and a wooden box of eight bottles with a special neck and a retro label. Last week, the wooden box took home a prize from the Popai competition where it won in the category “Advertising Gifts at the Point of Sale “ and it was placed 3rd in the overall competition evaluation.

International competition Packaging of the Year is organized every year by the Czech Packaging Association SYBA that includes producers and suppliers of packaging technology and packaged goods. As a part of its international activities it is also a member of the World Packaging Organization (WPO). The competition Packaging of the Year is designed for companies that are active in the field of offering interesting packaging solutions.

More information about original packaging of Pilsner Urquell can be found at www.pilsner-urquell.cz.

More information:

Kateřina Krásová, Plzeňský Prazdroj, tel.: +420 724 617 219

Plzeňský Prazdroj in social media:

Twitter twitter.com/Prazdroj1

LinkedIN www.linkedin.com/company/plzensky-prazdroj

Youtube www.youtube.com/user/PlzenskyPrazdroj1

Notes for editors:

• With total sale of nearly 9.9 million hectoliters during the 2012 calendar year (including licensed production abroad) and with exports to more than 50 countries worldwide, Plzeňský Prazdroj Inc. is the preeminent beer producer in the region and the biggest exporter of Czech beer.
• Plzeňský Prazdroj Inc. is a member of SABMiller plc group. Pilsner Urquell is the international flagship brand of the SABMiller brand portfolio.
• SABMiller plc is one of the world’s most significant brewers with 70,000 employees in 75 countries around the world. It offers more than 200 brands of beer including world-renowned brand such as Pilsner Urquell, Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Miller Genuine Draft a Grolsch, as well as important local brands such as Aguila (Colombia), Castle (South Africa), Miller Lite (USA), Snow (China), Victoria Bitter (Australia), and Tyskie (Poland).

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